Feeding mechanism



Sept. 7, 1937. c. L. POST FEEDING MECHANISM Filed NOV. 7, 1935 5Sheets-Sheet l 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 C. L. POST '.FEEDING MECHANISM Sept. 7,1937',

Filed Nov. 7, 1935 Sept. 7, 1937. i L. POST 2,092,524

FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 7, 1955 s sheets-sheet s yPatented Sept. 7,1937 N UNITED lSTATES 'ATENT OFFICE Y l 2,092,54C`v l FEEDING MECHANISM`'Claude L. Post, Chicago, `Ill.y

Application November 7, 1935, Serial No. 48,717 12 claims. (o1. 271-2)This invention relates to feeding mechanism,V mechanism for actuatingthe curl removing de'. and particularly toa device for feeding envelopesvlees; and i I to a machine for operating upon the envelopes as, i Fig.5 is a perspective view of my improved for example, a printing machineor the like. feeding and curl removing mechanism shownfin Heretofore,considerable `climculty yhas' been exrelation to the ap of an envelope,and illustrating 5 perienced in feeding envelopes to a printingmathemannerof removing the curl therefrom. chine, for example, whenthelaps of the enve In Figs. l, 2 and 4 of the drawings, the presentlopes have become warped or curled, particularly invention is shown inrelation to a fragment of k adjacent their ends, due to the action ofthe ad-4 lthe feeding mechanism of a printing press of the 1"`hesiveapplied to the flaps, or due to the action character shown and fullydescribed in Patent No. 10 of atmospheric conditions on the adhesive.When 1,758,536, issued to me May 13, 1930 and having a the flaps are insuch condition, the curl must be feed table indicated, as a whole, bythe numeral S, removed or smoothed out, and, unless extreme associatedtherewith, the feed table 8 being procare is exercised, the curledportions of the iiap vided on its receiving edge adjacent its centralmay be folded still further under or against the portion with aplurality of fingers 9 inclined in- 15 body of the nap, thus producingan undesirable wardly and away from the body of the table, or conditionof the envelope for passage through toward a magazine II adapted tocontain .a plu- .a printing machine or the 11ke ralty of superposedenvelopes E to be fedvto the Oneof the objects, therefore, of thepresent intable 8 and thence to a printing machine or 201i vention is toprovide a feeding mechanism having n the like.

suitable means associated therewith for removing Positioned below themagazine II is a feeding from the iiaps any curl which may havedeveloped mechanism indicated, as a whole, by the numeral l therein. I2,the specific details and operation of which are Another Object of theinvention is to' provide fully described in Patent No. 1,730,477 issuedto novel means for directing the end portions of me October 8, 1929. 25the flaps onto the feed table of the machine and Briefly, the mechanismI2 includes a rotatable into the guides by which the envelopes areguidedfinger I3 adapted to engage ,the flap F of the to a printing roller, forexample, in proper rela# loWermost envelope E positioned in the magazinetion thereto. II in a manner to unfold4 the flap thereof `and 730i"y Afurther object oft-he invention is to provide mVet Outward-ly IIOSubstantial alignment With suitable driving means for the curl removingelethe body4 of the, envelope between upper feed I ments in order thatthey may be actuated` in rollers I4 mounted on a` shaft I5 and lowerfeed proper relation to other portions of .the envelope Segments IB andI'I mounted on a shaft I8, by feeding mechanism. V which the iiap F isengaged in a manner to feed i A still further object ofthe invention isto rimthe envelope from the magazine Il onto the feed 35 prove devicesof the character described in suntable 8, the said rollers Ill, segmentsI6 and I'IV dry details hereinafter referred to and particuand thelinger I3 being operated in a proper larly pointed out in the appendedclaims. synchronism by means of gearing I9 (Figs. land One embodiment ofthe `present invention ,is 2) and a drive chain 2| shown in Fig. 2, andas 40"shown for illustrative purposes in the accomclearlydescribed insaid Patent N0. 1330/177. 40

panying drawings, in which:v As previously stated, the flaps ofenvelopes fre- Fig. 1 is a plan view of an envelope feeding quentlybecome warped or curled adjacent theirmechanism shown in relation to aportion of the end portions due to Vthe action of the adhesive feedingmechanism of a printing machine and applied to the flap, 0r dueto theaction of atmosillustrating my improved curl removing devices phericconditions on the adhesive in which oase, 45 applied thereto;V`considerable difficulty has been experienced in Fig. 2 is alongitudinal sectional elevational feeding envelopes to aprintingmachine or the view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, and like,and to overcome this condition, the present taken substantially asindicated by the line 2,-2 invention. contemplates a plurality oflaterally othereof; spaced elongated longitudinally movable curl re-Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevational view moving slide members22 positioned'beneath andA taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 kandillustrating at opposite sides of the magazine II, the said slide thearrangement and structure of the curl remembers being mounted in ways 23secured to V moving device shown in Figs. 1 and'2; i the bottom of themagazine II, and in substantialy- 551 Fig. 4 is a side elevational Viewof the driving i alignment with the endv portions `of the envelope55yflap F in a manner to engage said end portions to remove the curl orwarp therefrom, preferably, when the nap F is in substantial alignmentwith the body of the envelope as illustrated in Fig. 5, and to assist indirecting the flap onto the said feed table 8.

For actuating the slide members 22 in proper relation to the feedsegments i5 and I1 on the shaft I8, a pair of arms 24 are securedadjacent one of their ends to a rock shaft 25 and at their opposite endsby means of links 26 to brackets 21 secured to the underside of therespective slide members 22. For oscillating the rock shaft 25 in amanner to actuate the slides 22, an arm 28 is secured to the shaft 25outside onegof the frame members 29 and a tension spring 3| is connectedat one of its ends to the arm 28by means of a pin 32, and at itsopposite end to a pin 33 mounted on the frame member in a manner to urgethe arm 28 in one direction and to move the slide members 22 toward theenvelope flap for removing the curl therefrom, the said movement of theslide members 22 being in advance of the segments I6 and I1 forassisting in positioning the flap F in substantial alignment with thebody of the envelope and in a position tol be engaged by the feedrollers I4 and feed segments I6 and I1 as the latter are rotated toengage the envelope and advance it onto the feed table 8.

For retracting the slide members 22, the shaft I8 is provided on itsouter end with a disc 34 having a roller 35 mounted thereon and radiallyspaced from the line of rotation of the shaft I8, and adapted to engagethe arm 28 for moving the latter and rocking the shaft 25 against theaction of the spring 3 I, thereby moving the slide members 22 in theopposite direction and into a position to engage the flap of the nextsucceeding envelope to remove the curl therefrom and assist in directingthe flap onto the feed table 8.

`By reference to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the finger I3 has movedthe flap F to a vertical position where the outer ends thereof may beengaged by the slide members 22 as illustrated in Fig. 5 in a manner toremove any curl therefrom before the flap is engaged by the feedsegments I6 and I1 for advancing the fiap and envelope to the feedtable. Upon reaching the feed table, the envelope is engaged by a pairof supplemental feed rollers 36 and 31 by which it is moved forwardlyand longitudinally of the table 8 until the rear or following edge ofthe envelope is advanced sufficiently far to be engaged by lugs 38 onfeed chains 39 by which the envelope is further advanced to themechanism as, for example, a type roller and platen of a printingmachine or the like.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that the presentinvention provides a novel construction and arrangement wherein theslide members 22 are moved in relation to the envelope in a manner toremove the curl from the end portions of the flap F in an efficientmanner, and in advance of the engagement of the flap by the feedsegments I6 and I1, and wherein the slide members assist in directingthe nap F onto the feed table in an uncurled or flattened condition, theinclination of the fingers 9 adjacent the central forward edge portionof the feed table 8 insuring the lifting of the flap adjacent itscentral portion onto the central portion of the table.

Obviously, the present invention is not limited to the preciseconstruction and arrangement shown and described, as the same may beva-f riously modified, Moreover, all the features of the invention neednot be used conjointly, as the same may be used to advantage invariously different combinations and sub-combinations What I claim asnew and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device for feeding envelopes, the combination of a plurality ofcooperating feeding means engageable with the flap of an envelope, afinger for engaging said flap for unfolding and moving the flap into aposition adjacent said feeding means to be engaged thereby, and meansengageable with said flap and relatively movable with respect theretofor removing any curl from the outer end portions thereof.

2. In a device for feeding envelopes, the combination of a plurality ofcooperating feed rollers and feed segments, means for engaging the flapof an envelope to unfold and move said flap into a position between saidrollers and segments to be engaged thereby, and means engageable withthe outer end portions of said flap and relatively movable with respectthereto for removing any curl therefrom.

3. In a device for feeding envelopes, the combination of a plurality ofrotatable feed rollers, rotatable feed segments cooperable with saidrollers, means for engaging the flap of an envelope to unfold and movesaid nap into substantial alignment with the body of the envelope andinto a position between said rollers and segments to be engaged and fedthereby, and means engageable with the inner face of said flap andrelatively movable with respect thereto for removing any curl therefrom.

4. In a device for feeding envelopes, the combination of a magazine forcontaining a plurality of superposed envelopes, a plurality of rotatablecooperating feed rollers and feed segments adjacent said magazine, meansfor engaging the flap of an envelope in said magazine to unfold and movesaid flap into a position between said rollers and segments to beengaged and fed thereby, and means slidably mounted on said magazineadapted to engage the outer end portions of said fiap with respectthereto for removing any curl therefrom.

5. In a device for feeding envelopes, the combination of a magazine forcontaining a plurality of superposed envelopes, a plurality of rotatablecooperating feed rollers and feed segments adjacent the lower end ofsaid magazine and at one side thereof, means for engaging the flap ofthe lowermost envelope in said magazine to unfold and move said flapinto substantial alignment with the body of the envelope and into aposition between said rollers and segments to be engaged thereby anddrawn from said magazine, and slide members mounted beneath saidmagazine and relatively movable with respect to said lowermost envelopeand engageable with the end portions of the flap thereof for removingthe curl therefrom.

6. In a device for feeding envelopes, the combination of a magazine forcontaining a plurality of superposed envelopes, a plurality ofcooperating feed members adjacent the lower end of said magazine and atone side thereof, driving means for actuating said feed members, meansfor engaging the flap of the lowermost envelope in said magazine forunfolding and moving said iiap into substantial alignment with thebody-of said envelope and into a position between said feed members tobe engaged so,l

thereby and drawn from said magazine, a pair of elongated laterallyspaced longitudinally movable slide members positioned respectively insubstantial alignment with the respective outer end portions of saidflap and engageable therewith fo1` removing any curl therefrom, andmeans operatively related to said driving means for actuating said slidemembers.

7. In a device for feeding envelopes, the combination of a magazine forcontaining a plurality of superposed envelopes, a feed table having itsreceiving edge adjacent said magazine, a plurality of rotatablecooperating feed rollers and feed segments between the lower end of saidmagazine and the receiving edge of said table, means for engaging theflap of an -envelope to unfold and move said flap into a positionbetween said rollers and segments to be engaged and fed thereby fromsaid magazine onto said table, and means engageable with the outer endportions of said flap and relatively movable with respect thereto forremoving any curl therefrom and for lifting the outer end portions ofthe flap onto said feed table.

8. In a device for feeding envelopes, the combination of a frame, amagazine for containing a plurality of superposed envelopes, a feedtable having a receiving edge adjacent said magazine, a pair of shaftsrotatably mounted in said frame, a plurality of rotatable cooperatingfeed rollers and feed segments mounted respectively on said shaftsbetween the lower end of said magazine and the receiving edge of saidtable, means for engaging the flap of an envelope to unfold and movesaid iiap into a position between said rollers and segments to beengaged and fed thereby from said magazine onto said table, a pair oflaterally spaced members engageable with the outer end portions of saidflap and relatively movable with respect thereto, and means operativelyrelated to one of said shafts for actuating said pair of members.

9. In a device for feeding envelopes, the combination of a frame, amagazine for containing a plurality of superposed envelopes, a pair ofshafts rotatably mounted in said frame, a plurality of` rotatablecooperating feed rollers and feed segments mounted respectively on .saidshafts adjacent the lower end portion of said magazine, means forengaging the iiap of the lowermost envelope in said magazine to unfoldand move the flap into a position between said rollers and segments tobe engaged thereby for moving the envelope from said magazine, a pair ofslide members engageable respectively with the outer end portions ofsaid flap and relatively movable with respect thereto, a rockshaftrotatably mounted in said frame, actuating means connected to saidrock-shaft and slide members, and means operatively related to saidrock-shaft and segment shaft for oscillating the rock-shaft.

10. In a device for feeding envelopes, the combination of a frame, amagazine for containing a plurality of superposed envelopes, upper andlower feed shafts rotatably mounted in said frame, a plurality of feedrollers and feed segments mounted on said upper and lower feed shafts,respectively, adjacent the lower end portion of said magazines, meansbeneath said magazine for engaging the flap of an envelope to unfold andmove said ap into a position between said rollers and segments to beengaged thereby for moving the envelope from said magazine, a pair ofcurl removing members engageable' respectively with the outer endportions of said ap and relatively movable with respect thereto forremoving the curl therefrom, a rockshaft mounted in said frame,actuating means operatively related to said rock-shaft and curl removingmembers, an arm secured to said rockshaft, a radially spaced rollercarried by said lower shaft and engageable with said arm for rotatingsaid rock-shaft in one direction,v and resilient means for rotating therock-shaft in the opposite direction.

11. In a device for feeding envelopes, the combination of a plurality ofcooperating feeding means engageable with the ap of an envelope, and apair of laterally spaced members engageable with said flap adjacent theend portions thereof and bodily movable transversely with respectthereto for removing any curl therefrom.

l2. In a device for feeding envelopes, the combination of a plurality ofcooperating feeding means engageable with the flap of an envelope, and apair of laterally spaced members engageable with the iiap adjacent theend portions thereof and slidably movable transversely with respectthereto for removing any curl therefrom and maintaining the flap and endportions thereof in operative position to be engaged by said feedingmeans.

CLAUDE L. POST.

